Sheriff Gets $70,000 Grant for Pedestrian Safety
The state Department of Transportation provided the monies to continue a pedestrian safety grant that began in 2010.
A Largo man died recently crossing Seminole Boulevard in Seminole. This is part of an unsettling trend in Pinellas County where there are 3.24 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people. This exceeds the national average of 1.59, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.
With the $70,000, the sheriff hopes to improve pedestrian safety through enforcement and education efforts. The grant continues the support from the original grant of $20,000 in 2010.
"In Florida, pedestrian crashes account for less than 2% of all crashes but make up 7.5% of all severe crashes and 24% of all fatal crashes," according to the sheriff's office.
The grant money will be used to conduct traffic enforcement details and
education outreach programs about pedestrian safety across Pinellas County.
The goal of the expanded program is "to reduce traffic crashes and fatalities involving pedestrians."
Do you think the streets around us are safe for pedestrians? Let us know in the comments.
Bejie Friend
12:52 pm on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
I think this is a wonderful gift for the Sheriff - perhaps they could do a crosswalk like they have on Fort Harrison with the blinking lights at the intersection of Barry and Highland in Clearwater - right near the new Pine Berry Apartments - sure would help the senior citizens - thank you for your consideration
lisa
11:28 am on Thursday, July 12, 2012
Really...a grant?!?! Everybody wants something for free, but it's not. The government has to get it from somewhere... Personally I feel it should go to a school, or one of the programs they cut due to lack of funding. Many people are in need if the government just had this extra money to hand out.
Don't we all have things that we want?? Sure do. Pine Berry Apts can do a fundraiser if that is something they need. I don't want to pay for it. Look at the other story with the butterfly garden. They did something nice for the community and raised the money themselves. Great job to them.
lisa
11:37 am on Thursday, July 12, 2012
Sorry, forgot to put in last post.
Since we spent $20,000 in 2010, was there a decrease % in pedestrian crashes with that money? Can we get those figures. Thank you.